Lightning strike causes 'considerable damage' to Whangamatā home

"Considerable damage" to a home in Whangamatā after it was struck by lightning overnight.

A Whangamatā home has suffered "considerable damage" after being struck by lightning in a thunderstorm overnight.

Whangamatā Volunteer Fire Brigade responded to reports a house and nearby power pole on Achilles Ave had been hit by lightning at around 3.50am on Monday.

Photos from the scene show the extent of the damage, with blackened power points, an exploded fuse box, and holes blown through the home's walls.

"There is considerable damage to the home, and understandably the residents are pretty shaken up but thankfully, everyone is safe," the fire brigade said.

"Even the car sitting in the driveway won't start after its computer was apparently fried by the strike."

The Whangamatā Volunteer Fire Brigade reminded the public to stay well clear of any damaged electrical equipment or fallen power lines, and to treat all power lines as live until a network company confirms otherwise.

MetService meteorologist Katie Lyons told 1News a very active line of thunderstorms moved over Northland, Auckland and the Coromandel overnight, tracking across the Coromandel Peninsula and into the Bay of Plenty in the early hours of the morning.

Lyons said the band produced a large number of lightning strikes as it moved through, particularly in the early morning period, so it wasn't surprising that a house had been struck.